Lou Ross Penland

1944 - 2018

Lou Ross Kesler Penland passed away on 10 October 2018 after a years-long, valiant battle with cancer. Loss Ross was born to Don and Verel Kesler at Camp Blanding, Florida on 15 June 1944. She and her sister, Phyllis Kesler Avant, spent their early years in Liberty, North Carolina, then moved to Henderson, where their father was principal of Henderson High School and their mother was a secretary at Laurens Glass. Lou Ross was baptized and raised in Christian faith at Henderson's First Baptist Church. Lou Ross graduated from Henderson High School in 1962 and attended Meredith College until 1966, when she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion. While there, she met Bob Penland, from Davidson, North Carolina, and a student at North Carolina State University. After exchanging wedding vows with Bob at First Baptist Church in 1966, Lou Ross moved to Conegliano, Italy, where she enjoyed the adventures of overseas Army life. She returned to Henderson with their newborn son, Tideman Penland, while Bob served in Vietnam. Lou Ross brought Elizabeth Penland McFarland into the world at Henderson's Maria Parham Hospital in 1970. She taught elementary school in Vance County, while Bob began a career in the glass industry. Lou Ross and Bob moved to Ruston, Louisiana in 1974 where she resumed her elementary school teaching experience and took up an active role in Trinity United Methodist Church. Lou Ross gave birth to Frederick Penland in 1978. Lou Ross and the family returned to Henderson in 1980, and began a career in faith-based education as Director of Christian Education (DCE) at First Presbyterian Church. She moved the household to Greenwood, South Carolina, in 1984, where she again took up the post of DCE at Greenwood's First Presbyterian Church. In 1987, Lou Ross moved the family again – this time to Muncie, Indiana, where she continued her career as DCE for Muncie's First Presbyterian Church. Lou Ross then returned with Bob to Ruston, Louisiana, where he culminated his glass manufacturing career, and she resumed hers in the classroom at Cedar Creek High School, teaching English literature and composition for many years before retiring in 2008. In retirement, Lou Ross continued her traveling ways, moving with Bob to Texarkana, Texas, and later to Madisonville, Louisiana, where they enjoyed many good times with their Louisiana-based son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren – all the while hitting the roadways and airways frequently to visit Elizabeth's and Tideman's families. Lou Ross was quick to smile, laugh, and love. She was an eternal optimist and a friend to all whom she met. She brought out and nurtured the best qualities of her students and fellow faculty and staff. Lou Ross was humble, resilient, and faithful, and she passed these qualities to her children and grandchildren. Lou Ross was a loving, strong, and supportive wife to Bob for over fifty-two years. While Lou Ross's soul and spirit have gone to eternal glory and salvation, may they also live on in all of us as sources of love and happy memories. Lou Ross Kesler Penland is survived by her husband Bob Penland; children, Colonel Tideman Penland, Nicole Miller Penland, Elizabeth Penland McFarland, Lieutenant Colonel Jason McFarland (United States Marine Corps, Retired) Frederick Penland, Stephanie Licausi Penland; grandchildren Second Lieutenant Parker McFarland, Isabella McFarland, Sarah Scott McFarland, Anna Leigh Penland, Cole Penland, and Eliana Penland; sister, Phyllis Kesler Avant, brother Doctor George Avant; cousins, Colonel and Mrs. Parker Miller (United States Marine Corps, Retired), and Mr. and Mrs. Ben Jenkins; nephew and nieces, Catharine Hollifield, Phillip Avant, and Charlotte Avant. A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 19, 2018, at 2:30 pm at First Baptist Church, Henderson, NC. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall from 1:00 to 2:15 pm. Memorial gifts may be made to any of the churches Lou Ross served as well as First Baptist Church, Henderson, NC.